Pilot but dont think that = Money, I need your help.

Lucie_2

How do your expenses work? Is £300 a flat reimbursement or an average of what you usually claim back?
You're probably not taking advantage, I mean making the most of it! I do a lot of travelling for work (although not as much as you!) and over the last couple of years have learnt a few tricks.
I use a "reward" credit card for all my expenses (not the best one Martin recommends, but it suits me) and get £20+ of M&S vouchers back once a quarter for nothing. I also try to use nectar/clubcard points as much as possible. I also book all of my work travel through Quidco & earn cashback for doing so.
Staying in hotels can be a great source of moneysaving - free toiletries, biccies, coffee, tea, eating loads at the buffet breakfast so you don't need lunch.......
Are you claiming back everything you can? My company has odd things like a sundry overnight expense allowance, which is basically a payment for staying out overnight. Most people don't realise & never claim it.
Obviously not all of this will be relevant, but if your work means staying away from home then you shouldn't be out of pocket.
I have made it a bit of a mission to get as much out of my expenses each month as I can (legally of course!), and I'm going to miss it when I leave (just resigned!).

Best of luck

Pilot_in_Debt

Thank you everyone again for all your replies.

I was feeling so positive this afternoon after reading everythign then my car failed its MOT, £200 to fix it and its only worth £350 but I need it, I had to pay it, well I will tomorrow, I didnt have the money today.

If I can clarify a few points.

I am staying rent free at home at the moment as my father very kindly is trying to help me get on my feet without giving me handouts.

mrsspendalot

I am away three weeks out of four and stay in various hotels around the country. I have no way of cooking and eat 'out' with the crew, though we do try and eat cheaply, I think £15 a night as a new top price is not too bad for a hotel meal and a sarnie for lunch, I will do my best to keep to that.

I admire you greatly for being able to feed five hungry mouths on what I have been spending on just me.

My expenses are only awarded for the days or rather nights I spend away from base, so its a four night week, approx three weeks a month. The average would be £300, it may be more, sometimes a little less but its a flat rate so I cannot claim anymore for anything else, the company covers accomodation and breakfast and we pick up the rest.

Sadly of all the hotels we stay in, only one has a gym. At the other locations I use the local gyms at a cost of about £3 a go, so perhaps £10 a week and I try to go when I am at home with a friend to get a further discount.

This whole process today has actually really helped me think about how I am spending my money and I do feel better despite the unexpected £200 for the car.

To those who included links, thank you kindly I have been looking into them all, and I have a diary now for all expenses, ALL of them, starting tomorrow with the car :eek:

Thank you once again

Photos of me in uniform, £5 to a good home, two for £8 ;-)

MissKJ

You cheeky monkey Pilot in debt! I'll order a dozen for Christmas presents!! LOL.
Hey, you know what, you want to get your mates together and do a Chrimbo calandar...........

MissKJ

.....seriously though, can't you ask for a pay rise? Surely they would like to keep their new pilot? I am a little worried about you doing extra work driving and being tired flying that plane of yours.

tallyhoh

Hi Pilot in Debt,

Member "tolip" was looking for other pilots in a similar situation a while back.

Have a look at his posts, it may help.

Pilot_in_Debt

Tustastic,

I will be discussing the calander with the guys at work on Monday. Of course it has to be very tasteful, and were going to have to pick the top guys in the company, but I did wonder if we should cater for a wider market?

Perhaps include all shapes and sizes, I wonder if Ebay would be the best place to sell em, or I could make a sticky on here?

Thanks again,

I am making progress with my second job, not a high earning one but two days in I have about £80 I wouldnt have had without getting the ball rolling. Its a start.

Regards,

Pilot in Debt, convinced he wont go down in flames

bathgatebuyer

I'll buy 10! Strictly to help maintain the wealth of aviators you understand and not at all for my own gratification...................well, maybe just a bit.

Seriously think you would flog quite a few of those!

Karmacat

Hi there, pilot in debt

You've got a right thread going on here, haven't you!!! I'll have one of those calendars too

Seriously, tho, I understand the need to keep fit, I know the medicals are strenuous - but why does it have to be a gym that you go to? Can't you do running, use a chair instead of free weights, that kind of thing?

And if the company picks up for breakfast, chomp away on as much as you can. Take a banana from the fruitbowl - there's always a fruitbowl - even if your mates see you doing that, no one's going to think much of it.

"Every little helps"!! :rotfl:

Tashja

Oh my gosh

Between the pictures of Lenny in his uniform and the thought of these pilots in their uniforms there are some very happy ladies on here (me for one - lol)

Now where are the firemen . . . .

Good luck PID and I hope you can get yourself sorted out - will be following your diary !!

T xx

bexxie90

I may have lost the plot but is evieandpeanut your partner on this board,it seems to fit together,must be me?

Would love to see a pic lol just brightened my afternoon up at the thought
bex.x